COMPARISON BETWEEN ACIDIC

AND ALKALI FUEL CELLS

P.AKHIL - 1210813139

HOW FUEL CELLS WORK

FUEL CELLS & REDOX REACTION
Oxidation:- Anode (negative electrode): e- leave the cell
H 2 2H + + 2e
Reduction :-Cathode (positive electrode): e- enter the cell
4H + + 4e - + O 2 2H 2 O

TYPES OF HYDROGEN OXYZEN FUEL

Alkaline Fuel Cells :Aka: Bacon fuel cell

PEM Fuel Cells Proton Exchange

Membrane (or Proton
Electrolyte Membrane) :-

Used in NASA since mid-1960s (Appollo)

Efficiency 70%

Transport applications and

stationary fuel cell applications

hydrogen + oxygen water, heat, electricityLower temp./pressure ranges

(50-100)

ALKALI FUEL CELL

ALKALI FUEL CELL

The carbonate poisoning at ambient temperature is thought to be a result of
the low solubility of K2CO3around room temperature, which leads to
precipitation of K2CO3that blocks the electrode pores. Also, these precipitants
gradually decrease the hydrophobicity of the electrode backing layer leading to
structural degradation and electrode flooding.
Reactions are explained in next slide*

ALKALI FUEL CELL

The two electrodes are separated by a porous matrix saturated with an aqueous
alkaline solution, such as potassium hydroxide (KOH). Aqueous alkaline solutions do
not reject carbon dioxide (CO 2) so the fuel cell can become "poisoned" through the
conversion of KOH to potassium carbonate (K 2CO3). Because of this, alkaline fuel
cells typically operate on pure oxygen
On the other hand, the charge-carrying hydroxyl ions in the electrolyte can react
with carbon dioxide from organic fuel oxidation (i.e. methanol, formic acid) and/or
air to form carbonate species.
Carbonate formation depletes hydroxyl ions from the electrolyte, which reduces
electrolyte conductivity and consequently cell performance

PEM
PEM(Proton exchange membrane cells):1.

A fuel cell produced electricity by combining Hydrogen and Oxygen atoms

electrochemically rather than through combustion.

2.

Hydrogen = fuel electrolysis stored as a compressed gas/liquid/metal compound

3.

A single fuel cell consists of an anode and a cathode with an electrolyte in between

4.

Hydrogen molecules enter the anode react with catalysts (1) split into H+ & e- H+
pass through electrolyte, e- directed through an external circuit = electrical current

5. Oxygen molecules enter at the cathode +( H +) + e6.

water & heat

Individual fuel cells placed in a series = fuel cell stack which is used to power vehicle

PEM

REACTIONS

THANK YOU